Stelco Inc. is de-risking one of its defined benefit pension plans with a $1.3 billion annuity buy-in. The deal, which covers more than 7,000 United Steelworkers members and beneficiaries employed at the company’s Hamilton, Ont.-based plant, was completed in May with Brookfield Annuity Co. and Sun Life Financial Inc. Read: Stelco workers, retirees learn fate […]
As the move away from traditional defined benefit plans continues and intensifies, Canada’s multi-employer pension plans are providing employers with another retirement savings option for their employees. And despite facing a number of challenges, from industries in decline to legislative obstacles, MEPPs continue to attract plan sponsors from across the country. Read: Canadian MEPPs facing challenges […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is introducing a whistleblower program to more effectively identify misconduct in the pensions and non-securities financial services sectors. The program will apply to any individual or entity who comes forward in good faith with valuable, timely and non-public/insider information related to an alleged or intended contravention in any […]
Canada’s defined benefit pension plans saw average losses of 5.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2022, according to a new report by RBC Investor and Treasury Services. During the quarter, DB plans saw their largest overall contraction of worth since the first quarter of 2020. In a press release, Niki Zaphiratos, managing director of […]
The announcement of a new multi-employer pension plan for Canadian physicians was the most read story over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. New multi-employer pension plan coming for incorporated physicians 2. Employees want flexible working, better benefits to return to workplace: survey 3. After a strong 2021, […]
In certifying a pension class action by Brewers Retail Inc., an Ontario Superior Court judge denounced the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario for defying a decision of its predecessor, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Justice Ed Morgan certified the class on Feb. 10, 2022, setting the stage for a settlement approval hearing. In […]
An article on British Columbia’s paramedics and their need for enhanced mental-health benefits was the most read story over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. B.C. paramedics seeking enhanced mental-health benefits 2. Canadian pension plans overcoming legislation, governance challenges: webinar 3. Ontario’s DB pension plans should take steps […]
With Ontario’s defined benefit pension plans in their best financial shape since 2009, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is advising plan sponsors and administrators to better prepare for the future. “They need a good sense of investment policies as well as how the plan itself may be affected [by different scenarios],” says Lester […]
Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainties brought on by the Omicron variant, markets held up in the last three months of 2021 with capital accumulation plan member outcomes continuing to improve. According to Eckler Ltd.’s latest CAP income tracker, a typical male plan member retiring at age 65 at the end of […]
The average Ontario defined benefit pension plan is in the best funded position since December 2009, according to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s latest quarterly solvency report. It found 81 per cent DB plans had a solvency ratio greater than 100 per cent at the end of 2021, compared to 67 per cent […]